Apparatus for cutting and impressing substances



June 30, 1953 c, DOERING ETAL APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND IMPRESSING SUBSTANCES Filed May 13, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet l June 0, 1953 c. DOERING ETAL APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND IMPRESSING SUBSTANCES Filed May 13., 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 30, 1953 c. DOERING ETAL APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND IMPRESSING SUBSTANCES F'iled May 15, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 30, 1953 c. DOERING ETAL APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND IMPRESSING SUBSTANCES Filed May 1a, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 30, 1953 c. DOERI NG ET AL 2,643,495

APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND IMPRESSING SUBSTANCES Filed May 13, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented June 30, 1953 APPARATUS FOR CUTTING AND IMPRESSING SUBSTANCES Charles Doering, Henry H. Doering, and Bertil J. Skoglund', Chicago, 111.; said Skoglund assignor to said Charles Doering and Henry H. Doering Application May 13, 1948, Serial No. 26,906

19 Claims.

This invention relates to combined cutting and impressing devices for converting edible plastic slabs into segmented and impressed units of varied or any desired surface design, although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of cutting and impressing instrumentalities combined to convert edible plastics into polygonal units in a single operation constituting automatically repeated continuous operations.

It has been customary to form edible plastics such as butter and kindred edible substances into rectangular bricks of varying weights; however, these necessitated transverse and longitudinal severance with auxiliary devices to create rectangular segments primarily for restaurant purposes. This not only entails much labor in the preparation thereof for serving to the consumer, but also the contour thereof is only utilitarian and does not enhance the appearance thereof, and is an important factor in pleasing the taste of the individual consumer.

The novel formation of edible plastics into adhering units of varied design imparts a continuous polygonal effect, serves to impart a more pleasant appearance thereto, and also eliminates considerable labor heretofore necessary in producing palatable segments thereof. Edible plastics produced in accordance with the teachings of the present invention require a single operating stroke severance and surface design formation, this being distinguished from the usual method of longitudinal and then transverse division of bricks into multiple segments of usual rectangular shape without any possible surface design that is not altogether advantageous for restaurant purposes.

Power operation of conveying means serves to feed slabs of substance in the path of the impressing and cutting instrumentalities to render the latter effective to convert the slabs into de'-- sign impressed multiple segments or units of operation without manual intervention. This may be in the form of suitable automatic controls depending upon the dictates of commercial practice. It is important that the power instrumentalities that actuate the cutting and impressing instrumentalities, be controlled to the extent of creating a single actuation for each slab of material that is presented thereto. This is controlled automatically to avoid a duplication of impressions and to insure precision as well as a maximum production by the improved combination of elements that makes possible the simultaneous power actuation of impressing, cutting and synchronized feeding instrumentalities in devices of this character.

One object of the present invention is to simplify the construction and improve the operation of services of the character mentioned.

Another object is to provide a simple, effective, and continuous operating machine to effect the formation of edible plastic slabs into a plurality of multiple segments of any selected surface de-- sign to render such more palatable and attractive.

Still another object is to provide an improved combination of elements that automatically feeds, impresses, and severe plastic slabs into a plurality of segmented units to the desired shape and appearance.

A further object is to provide an improved combination of feeding, segmenting, surface impressing, and discharging instrumentalities automatically operative in synchronized timed relation for the conversion of edible plastic slabs into multiple segments impressed with selected surface designs thereof.

A still further object is to provide a novel combination of feeding, impressing, cutting, Wrapping and discharging instrumentalities in a continuously operating automatic machine.

Still a further object is to provide a novel combination of feeding, impressing, cutting, and ejecting instrumentalities in combination with thermal control means to continuously convert edible plastic slabs into multiple segments without human intervention.

Other objects and advantages will appear fromv the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a device embodying features of the present invention, parts thereof being broken away to clarify the showing.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side view in elevation of the machine shown in Figure l. a

Figure dis a plan sectional view taken substantially along line III-III of Figure 2.

Figure l is a diagrammatic side view in elevation of the suction pick-up and paper feed instrumentalities shown in assembled relation in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side view in elevation of the substance slab cutting and paper wrap feed mechanism shown in relation to the slab support and transfer drum.

, Figure 6 are fragmentary sectionalviews of actuating instrumentalities for the cutter frame 3 taken substantially along lines V--V and VI-V'I of Figure 3, these being shown separately to clarify the illustration of the cutter frame reciprocating and oscillating mechanism.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary side view in elevation of the speed reducer viewed from line VII-VII of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view in elevation taken substantially along line VIII-VIII of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view in elevation taken substantially along line IX-JX of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view in elevation taken substantially along line X-X of Figure 2.

The structure selected for illustration is not intended to serve as a limitation upon the scope or teachings of the invention, but is merely illustrative thereof. There may be considerable variations and adaptations of all or art of the teachings depending upon the dictates of commercial practice. The present embodiment comprises a horizontal frame member III of substantially rectangular figuration which is supported at the desired elevation by a plurality of corner standards preferably though not essentially, comprising vertical angle irons attached at their upper ends to the frame member II] by welding, riveting, or other suitable fastening expedients. Intermediate vertical braces |2 depend from the frame member H] to horizontal braces l3 that extend between the corner standards II to reinforce the frame against vibration and creeping as well as to serve as a support for some of the instrumentalities comprising parts of the machine which is illustrative of the invention and the teachings thereof.

The edible plastic substances that are contemplated for processing with the machine comprising the subject matter of this invention may take the form and characteristics of butter which is preferably extruded from a printing machine that is equipped with forming dies of the desired shape and size to present a cross section commensurate with the size of the slab to be impressed and cut into ornamental segments for serving in restaurants, public places, and private homes. The pre-formed horizontal column of butter or other suitable plastic substances are extruded from the printing machine to an endless conveyor belt |4 (Figures 1 and 2) consisting of narrow elongated rectangular metal plates l5 which are interconnected through the medium of an endless chain l6 which meshes with horizontally aligned sprockets |l--|8 carried by shafts |920 journalled in bearing brackets 2|. The bearing brackets 2| are mounted between the side members of the frame l0 to support the endless conveyor comprisin the plates |4 that are continuously driven in a counter-clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 2).

In order to guide the pro-formed horizontal column of plastic substance along a pre-determined path on the frame I0, the latter is provided with a plurality of upstanding vertical guide rollers 22, in this instance four, equi-distantly linearly disposed rollers 22 on each side of the conveyor belt l4. The rollers 22 are journalled in brackets 23 (Figure 2) fixed to the top of the frame member It) by means of bolts or other suitable fasteners 24 so as to guide the column of plastic substance to the discharge end of the conveyor belt H which is fitted with stationary horizontally extending plates 2526 mounted on adjustable screws 21-28 terminating in the manual manipulating knobs or wheels 2930. The screw members 2|28 are journalled in collars 3|32 disposed on each side of an upstanding bracket plate 3334 which are fixed to the frame member H) as at 35 (Figures 1 and 2).

The horizontally extending plates 25-46 terminating in an angularly offset stop member 36 (Figure 5) which bridges the horizontally extending plates 25-46 for support thereon at the upper limit of movement of a wire 31 constituting part of the slab cutter as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The slab cutter wire 31 (Figure 5) is tensioned between side rods 38 (Figure 5) which have trunnions 39 at their upper extremities to ride in slightly inclined vertical guide slots 40 provided in a cutter frame 4|. The cutter side rods 38 are operatively connected at their lower extremity to a block 42 which in turn is journalled on the pintle 43 carried by the upper extremity of an elongated actuating lever 44 (Figures 2, 5 and 6). The actuating lever 44 inclines downwardly with its lower extremity having a tension spring 45 anchored thereto with the other spring end anchored as at 46 (Figure 5) to a cross channel 41 that extends underneath the longitudinal horizontal braces l3. A cam roller 48 is journalled on the actuating lever 44 proximate to the lower end thereof in confronting relation with an actuating cam 49 carried by a stub shaft 50 which is journalled in a bearing bracket 5| fixed to the longitudinal cross member 3 for support thereon.

So that the cutter guide frame 4| will oscillate to a limited degree in unison with the continuous forward movement of the horizontal column of substance on the endless conveyor M, the frame 4| is attached as at 52 to a bracket 53 (Figure 5) that confronts a bracket 54 with an adjustable knuckle 55 therebetween. The bracket 54 terminates in a sleeve 56 (Figure 3) which is journalled on a pintle 51 carried by the furcated extremity 58 of an actuating lever 59 (Figures 5 and 6). The actuating lever 59 terminates in a bearing sleeve 60 that is disposed in alignment with another bearing sleeve 6| for pivotal support on pintle 52 carried by a bracket 83 that is also fixed to the longitudinal frame member |3 (Figures 3 and 6). The bearing sleeve 6| is formed integral with a lever 64 as comparatively shorter than the lever 59 (Figures 3 and 5) to terminate in a furcated extremity 65 which receives a pin 56 there in. The pin 65 is carried by a vertical shaft 61 (Figure 5) which is connected to an air valve 63 (Figure 4) confined in the air cylinder 69 (Figure 5) to control the vacuum for the paper pickup mechanism to be hereinafter described.

As shown, the cutter oscillating frame lever 59 has a cam follower roller lil journalled thereon for reception in a cam groove 1| provided in one side 72 of a box cam 73 which is fixed on the counter-shaft 59. The other side H of the box cam 13 has a cam groove provided therein to receive a cam roller 15 journalled on the comparatively shorter actuating lever 64 which controls the air valve 68 within the cylinder 69. Consequently, the levers 59 and 64 are actuated by a compound box cam 13 to oscillate the cutter frame 4| while the lever 44 effects the descent of the cutter rods 38 responsive to the actuation of the cam 49 which is also fixed to the countershaft 5|]. In consequence thereof, thin slabs of plastic substance such as butter 16 (Figure 5) will be sequentially severed from the horizontal column 11 of edible substances that is extruded 5 from the printing machine and carried by the conveyor I I to the cutter wire 31 and its associated frame 30 and guide frame II which have compound movement so that the wire cutter 3'I oscillates to move with the cut slab I6 and then comes down straight for the next out.

It should be noted that the angularly oiiset stop member will prevent the cut slab I from moving in any direction other than toward a drum It which has nine or ten straight sides or surfaces IQ of the drum I8 and properly centered thereon as the drum I3 rotates to present the straight side I0 at the severing station denoted by the cutter frame 38, elongated transverse movable cleats St extend for the width of the drum IS along the lower edges of each of the straight sides Il, to present side fingers 87 on both sides of the drum ill for pivotal connection thereto by means of studs or pins 88. The extreme counterclockwise movement of the cleats 86 with their fingers all is limited by pins 89 fixed to the end surfaces of the drum I8 in the path of the fingers 0'5. The movable cleats 06 serve to center the slab IS on the straight side IQ of the drum I8 in conjunction with and relative to fixed cleats 50 attached to the upper edge of the straight sides 35* so that the latter will each have a movable lower cleat 8 3 and a fixed upper cleat 00 to receive the slab I6 therebetween as the drum If:

rotates in a counter-clockwise direction (viewed irom Figure 5). The cleats 85-90 also serve to grasp the lower and upper edges of the butter slabs It as they successively are served by the oscillating and reciprocating wire cutter 3'! and its frame 30 for deposit on the sides 19 of the drum it. The cleats 80-90 thus serve to effectively retain the slabs I0 on the straight sides or surfaces E9 of the drum I0 to preclude accidental removal therefrom until released after having been ornamented and segmented or either as commercial practice may dictate.

The centering of a slab I6 is positively effected as each straight side I9 carrying a slab I6 approaches the upper horizontal position which is in vertical alignment with the cutting and impressing mechanism to be hereinafter described. This positive centering oi the slabs I6 on each of the straight sides I9 is effected by the fingers 00 which are tripped against a roller 9| fixed to the side frame in the position to effect perfect registry of the slab I6 on the horizontal straight side "I9 as such arrives at the superposed cutting and impressing station (Figure 5). In this position, the movable cleat fingers 07 are actuated to their extreme counter-clockwise position against the fixed pins 09 (Figure 5) to insure the positive displacement of the slabs I6 against the fixed cleat 90 in this position preparatory to being impressed and simultaneously cut into segments as will more clearly appear hereinafter (Figure 5).

This insures the proper registry in each slab It on the straight side I9 before the cutting and impressing means are actuated. In order to effect accurate registry of the drum I8 so that each side 19 is presented at the cutting and impressing station in absolute perfect alignment therewith, a special indexing mechanism is provided for the drum I8. The indexing mechanism comprises, in this instance, an eccentric 92 (Figure 8) mounted on the drum shaft IN to cooperate with a correspondingly shaped bore 03 provided in a sectional crank arm 94 which is pivotally connected at one end to a pin 95 carried by a link 90. The link 96 is pivoted as at 9'! to a block 98 fixed to. oneside of the drum.

The other end of the crank arm 94 is provided With a furcated extremity 99 which cooperates with and engages equi-distantly and circumferentially spaced face registering drum rollers I00 that are journalled on pins IOI anchored in the end face of the drum I8 in radial alignment with each corner presented by the straight sides I9 of the drum 18.

It will be apparent. therefore, that the rotation of the drum It will cause the crank arm 94 to move inwardly and outwardly responsive to the eccentric 92 so as to successively engage the equally spaced face registering drum rollers I00 to insure that the upper horizontal straight drum side I9 will be momentarily held in exact registry with the cutting and impression instru-- mentalities as will appear more fully hereinafter.

It should be noted that the indexing crank.

arm 94 has a finger I 02 (Figure 8) extending from the forked or furcated extremity 99 thereof to engage a drum roller engagingstop bar I03 (Figure'9) that engages over the most elevated roller I00 to retain the drum I8 momentarily inactive with the top straight drum, side I9 at its most elevated precise horizontal position at the cutting and impressing station. Thestop bar I03 is arcuate to successively receive the, rollers I00 which is accomplished by mounting the stop bar I03 on convergent rods I04I05 having aligned sleeve bosses I00--I0I journalled on a pin I08 carried by asleeve bearing I00 fixed to the frame side plate by means of a bracket IIO having fasteners III extending therethrough. A spring I I2 is anchored between the stop bar mount I05 and the side plate 85 to normally urge the stop bar I03 down in the path of the rollers I00. While the drum I8 is momentarily held stationary by the stop bar I03 in engagement with the topmost roller I00, an extension M3 on the stop bar I03 is disposed in the path of the finger I02 on thefork 9 9 as the latter is displaced in a clockwise direction (viewed from Figure. 8) to remove the stop bar I03 from engagement with the roller.

This displacement of the stop bar I03 permits the crank arm- 94 to rotate the drum I8 to bring the next succeeding straight drum side I9 to the topmost horizontal cutting and impressing position. In this position the stop bar I03 again momentarily engages a roller I00 by reason of the downward displacement of the.

stop bar I03 on the roller I 00 responsive to the urge of the spring II2 on the stop bar mount I05. Because the drum I8 is journalled on the shaft BI and the intermittent rotation thereof is effected by the eccentric 92 through the crank arm 9 which together with the stop bar I03 and the rollers I00 successively bring the straight drum sides I9 to rest at the uppermost horizontal position. At this moment the cutting and impressing instrumentalities are actuated as will be presently described.

The uppermost horizontal drum side I9 carries with it a slab I0 which is superposed thereon. A plurality of individual impressing dies II5 are fixed to a platen IIG with normally intersecting segment cutting blades I I! disposed therebetween. The normally intersecting segment cutting blades I II are attached to a plate II 8 while the dies I I5 are reciprocable relative thereto with the platen IIS which is movably confined within a housing H0 that also fixedly supports the cutter mountingplates H8 (Figure 9).. The

platen 116 is disposed above the cutter blades 111 so that the individual dies 115 can be raised or lowered therewith relative to the intersectin blades 111 depending upon the movement of the housing 119 in a vertically downward direction. Springs 126-121 within the housing 119 normally urge the platen 1 16 with the dies 115 downwardly.

To this end, the housing 119 is provided with integral mounting side arms 122-123 (Figure 9) which terminate in vertical sleeves 124-125 that are attached to the upper extremities of vertical posts 126-121 by means of suitable fasteners 128-129. The posts 126-121 are vertically guided in elongated slide bearing sleeves 130-131 (Figures and 9) fixed to the inner surfaces of the frame plates 85. The lower extremities of the vertical posts 126-121 are each provided with a sleeve 132 (Figure 5) to which is attached a cam follower roller 133 and a spring anchoring lug 134.

A tension spring 135 extends between the mount of the finger tripping roller 91 and the lug 134 to normally retain the cam follower roller 133 in contact with a cam 136 fixed to the drum shaft 81 to depress the housing 119 and its supporting posts 126-121 so as to bring the impression dies 115 and cutter blades 111 in operable contact with the substance slab 16 disposed on the drum side 19 at the topmost horizontal position in vertical alignment with the cutting and impression instrumentalities presently described, this being the cutting and impressing station referred to previously and at which time the drum 18 is momentarily at rest.

So that the substance slabs 16 will be laterally centered parallel to the drum axis on the drum side 19 at the cutting and impression station before the cutting and impressing is effected, the housing supporting posts 126-121 are provided with sleeves 136-131 (Figures 9 and adjustably fixed thereto by means of set screws 138 to support cam actuating rollers 139-149. The cam rollers 139-140 confront trip cams 141-142 fixed to centering cleats or plungers 143-144 mounted in guides 145-146. The centering cleats or plungers 143-144 are in horizontal alignment with the slab 16 resting on the top drum side 19 at the cutting and impression station, and springs 141-148 normally urge the cleats or plungers 143-144 from each other so that the trip cams 1 41-142 are actuated by the rollers 139-140 against the urge of the springs 141-148.

This actuation of the slab centering cleats or plungers 143-144 takes place just before the impression dies 11 5 and cutter blades 111 make contact with the slab 16 at the cutting and impression station, and effectively grasp the side edges of the slabs 16 to cooperate with the lower and upper cleats 86-96 to hold the slabs 16 against removal from the drum surfaces 19 'on the up-stroke of the dies 115 and cutters 111. The cutting and impressing should be effected with the dies 11.5 and cutters 111 at a predetermined and more or less :constant temperature depending .upon room temperatures and the initial temperature .of the slabs 16. These controls make for perfection, speed and uniformity in the simultaneous impressing and segmenting operations. To this end, an electrical heating element 14.9 (Figure 9) is provided for contact with the housing 119 to conduct heat to the platen 1.1.5 and the dies 1 as well as the cutter blades .1 11, thereby keeping them at the desired temperature which will approximate F. for butter with variable ranges for different climatic conditions and other substances. A temperature indicator equipped with an adjustable thermostat is provided to automatically control the temperature to that set in any Darticular situation.

It should be noted that the slabs 16 are severed from the horizontal column of substance 11 (Figure 5) and displaced onto an adjacent drum side 19 by the oscillating movement of the slab cutter frame 41 after paper liners 151 (Figures 2, 4 and 5) are automatically applied to the drum sides 19 as such rotate to the slab severing and feeding station so that a liner 151 is in position thereon to receive the slab 16 thereover. The paper liners 151 are stacked in a floating magazine or rack 152 that is slidably mounted on confronting channels 153 disposed at an acute angle of substantially 15 degrees to slidably receive the rack or magazine 152 therealong (Figures 2 and 4).

The rack or magazine 152 is roller mounted to slide in the channels 153 for normal displacement upwardly along the incline thereof by reason of a tension spring 154 which is mounted as at E55 to the magazine or rack 152 while the other spring extremity 156 is anchored to the cross channel 41 of the underframe which supports the air suction cylinder 69. lhe urge of the spring 154 retains the stacked paper liners 151' in the path of rubber suction cups 151-158 (Figure 10) which will be presently described. In order to fill the magazine or rack 152 with paper liners, it is held in wide open or loading position by means of toggle levers 159-169 (Figure l) that are operatively connected as at to the magazine or rack 152 and to a bearing 6 comprising a part of a bracket 162 which depends from the lower frame cross member 13.

A lever 163 is operatively connected to the toggle lever to enable the displacement of the magazine 152 to its extreme lowermost position on the channels 153 and there it is locked in wide open position by the toggle levers 159-150 against the urge of the spring 154. After the magazine 152 is loaded with a stacked supply of paper liners 151, the lever 163 is shifted to its extreme clockwise position to enable the spring 15 t to cause the magazine or rack 152 to slide upwardly along the channels 153 to compensate for paper consumption.

In order to individually feed the paper liners 151 along a predetermined path for application to the drum side 19 as the drum 18 intermittently rotates in a counter-clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 5), the rubber suction cups 151-158 are mounted on cars 1'64 fixed to crank arm -166 which terminate in hubs 161-168 (Figures 5 and 10) that are fixed to a hollow shaft 169 journalled in bearings 118-111 attached to vertical frame members 112-113. The rubber suction cups 151-158 are provided with rigid tubes 114 that extend through the ears 164 of the crank arms 165-166 for com munication through flexible tubes 115 that extend into and communicate with ports 116 that communicate with the interior of the shaft 169. The shaft 169 is provided with an air commutator assembly 111 so that air suction is transferred to the rotating shaft 169 by means of a tube 1113 (Figures 3 and 4). The tube 118 communicates with the air suction cylinder 69 constituting a vacuum pump'timed so that the vacuum created is transmitted to the rubber suction cups Il-I58 as such rotate in a clockwise direction (viewed from Figure 4) and come in contact with the paper liners I5 I.

The paper liners I5I are individually. transferred by the rubber suction cups I5'I-I5B to a curved wire grid I79 (Figures 5 and connected by individual bosses I89. to a horizontal rod IS! that is supported by. spaced ears. I82 (Figure 5) depending from the side frame plates 95 (Figure 2). A confronting and 'correspondingly curved Wire grid I83 (Figure 5), mounted to extend in spaced confronting relation from the mid-portion of 'the grid I79 (Figure .5) -to assume the general curved contour of the path of travel of the drum I8 up to and substantially in line with the horizontal surface of theen'dless conveyorlt, so that the individual paperliners I5I will be released by the rubber Suction cups Nil-A58 at a point of engagement thereof by the movable cleats 86 along the receding edges of the drum side l9.

To this end, the movable cleats 86 are provided with a series of notches I84 (Figure 9) that are spaced to correspondwith the spac ing of the wires. of the grid. I 83 so as to project therebetween vas the drumuld rotates. the lowermost movable cleats 89 in the path of the grid I83 to move the paper liners I5I upwardly therealong in a position. confronting each of the drum sides it so that the severed slabs 'Ifi are displaced thereon with the paper liner I5I thereunder. To insure the individual feeding of the paper liners I5I, holding pins (not shown) are provided in conjunction with the paper feeding mechanism I66 so that the individual paper liner l5I adjacent the suction cups Ifil-Ifid will be slightly torn by the pins as such proceed there with so that the next adjacent stack sheet cannot adhere thereto, this being an expedient thatis well known in the paper feeding art, I

The paper liner I5I is appreciablywider than the drum sides 19 and the slab 19 disp sed thereon so as to enable folding thereover at the discharge station after the slabs II; have been segmented and impressed. The paper liners I5! are folded over the impressed and segmented surface of the slab ll; as the drum. I9 with the processed slab thereon intermittently rotates to a position substantially opposite the slab severing and displacement station. To accomplish the folding of the paper liners I5! over the im pressed and segmented surface of thevslab .16, a pivotal and slidable folder and hold-down plate I85 (Figures 1 and 9) is provided to slide transversely of and along the drum side I9 (Figures 3 and 9) at the discharge station which is substantially opposite the feeding station. To this end, the folder and hold-down plate I95 is provided with hinge sleeves I86 that are complemental to hinge sleeves I97 provided on a confronting delivery plate I98 (Figure 1).

A coil spring I89 is mounted'in a bracket I99 that is hinged as at I9 I to normally cause the folder plate I85 to assume a position adjacent to and in contact with the delivery plate I88. With this arrangement, the folder plate I85 is spring actuated to fold the paper liner over the exposed surface of the segmented and impressedslab T8 at the initial point of displacement of the slab I6 from the'drum side 79 at thedischarge station, It should be noted that the folder plate I85 has a plurality of extended vertically spaced fingers I32, in this instance four, which receive pins I 99 therebetween which extend from the delivery plate I38 so as to serve as a shoulder 10 or stop against which the segmented and impressed slab 79 abuts for delivery of the slidable displacement of the folding and delivery plates I-I88 transversely along the drum side 9 from left to right as viewed in Figure 9.

This motion is effected by means of a sleeve tendingtherefrom for pivotal connection through ajoint 2 09 to a bracket 21H fixed to a plate 292 that is anchored to a cross member zllaof the frame I9 (Figure 9), The 'plate' I99 extends downwardly beyond the pivotal joint 290 to carry a cam follower rollerfil l that rides in a cam groovelfliprovided in the cylindrical cam 296 which is fixed to a countershaft 2551- extending between and journalled inthe vertical frame members 298. With this mechanism,-the-sleeve I94 carries theconfronting foldingand delivery plates I85--I88 to the extreme left where contact is established between the spring hinge member I and a fixed cam 2B9 mounted on the side plate 85 (Figure 9) to open thefolding plate relative to the delivery-plate I88 so that that portion of the paper liner lel-projecting -beyond the slab I9 will be engaged therewith and as the movement proceeds to the right along-the drum side I-9 .at. the discharge station, the hinge I 99 rides-off of thecam 209 and the spring I89 flips the folder plate I85 against the'delivery plate I98 at which. time the projecting portion of the paper liner I5] foldedover the exposed'surface of the segmented and impressed slabs I6. A 1 g.

, This sliding movement that effects deliveryof the segmented. and impressed slabs I 6 to the right for complete removal fromvthe drum side mat the discharge station, effects delivery thereofflto a perforated ejector plate 2 I0 (Figure 9) 1 As the segmentedand impressed slab is displaced toward the ejector plate 2 II], a fixed hinged folding anvil or cleat 2II (Figure 1) is provided in the path thereof just prior to the slab reaching the ejector plate 2 I0 (Figures9).

The fixed folding anvil or cleat 2|! prevents the segmented and impressed slab 16 from coming back after it reaches the ejector plate 2I0, and also serves to fold the'oppositely projecting portion of the paperliner. IJ5I overthe other half of the exposed portion of the segmented and-impressed slab T'Bto cause the flap to adhere thereto. This completes the wrapping of the segmented and impressed slab it with the paper liner 5| ,as delivery isefiected to the ejector plate 2H1 that has a shoulderZIZ at itsextreme edge to preclude the wrapped slab from being displaced beyond the ejector plate 2H1 that has its lower edge in alignment with the table top 2I3 (Figures 1 and 2) extending from the discharge station to the extremity of the frame so as to support the wrapped slab 1-6 on end adjacent the ejector plate 2Ill. The ejector plate ZII] (Figure 2) is fixed in a slightly inclined position to a lever 2 which is bent to provide a depending offset 2 I 5 that is pivoted as at 2H3 to a bracket 2 I fixed to the vertical frame member 298.

The lever offset 2I5- extends beyond the pivot 2H5 ,to provide a cam follower roller ZIB at the lower extremity thereof to ride inconfronting relation with a cam 2I9 (Figure 9) fixed to the counter-shaft 201 to actuate the ejector plate 210 in a counterclockwise direction (viewed from Figure 2) at the terminus of the cycle to discharge the wrapped segmented and impressed slab 16 onto an endless conveyor 220 mounted on rollers 22l'222 journalled in the frame It] to present a surface in alignment with the table top 213 for discharge of the wrapped and segmented slabs onto a chute 223 where they can be packed into cartons according to the dictates of commercial practice.

A spring 224 extends between the ejector lever 2 l4 and the frame In (Figure 2) to maintain contact between the cam follower roller 218 and the cam 2 l 9. This cycle of steps is continuously and automatically proceeded with so long as the horizontal column of substance I! is provided on the endless conveyor l4. Should it be desired to provide a tempering fluid such as water within the platen H6 (Figure 9) and thus procure a more uniform temperature with more effective control, flexible pipes 225-226 may be provided for communication with the platen H6, and these extend to a water tank supply 221 (Figure 2) mounted on corner posts 228 that are supported by bearing brackets 229 which, in turn, support the bearings 8283 for the drum shaft 8|. To this end, the corner posts 228 have a flanged plate .238 provided thereon to receive the water tempering tank 221 thereon.

The instrumentalities described supra are power actuated from a single electric motor 23l (Figure 2) posted on brackets 232-233 supported by the lower cross members [3 of the frame In. The motor 23l has a pulley 234 on the armature shaft thereof to drive a belt 235 that engages another pulley 236 fixed to a driven stub shaft 23'! (Figure 3) which operates a clutch 238 that is controlled by a rod 239 having connection with a manual lever 24%) (Figure 2) pivoted as at 24! to the frame It]. The lever 240 extends upwardly beyond the table top 2l3 to present a manual gripping handle 242 so that the operation of the instrumentalities can be controlled even though the motor 23l is in operation.

The driven end of the clutch 238 (Figure 3) terminates in a shaft 243 that operates a speed reducer 244 that has a driven shaft 245 extending therethrough to drive sprockets 246 and 241 The sprocket 246 has a chain 248 which extends to a sprocket 249 fixed to the drum shaft 8| to operate the eccentric 92 and the crank arm 94 which imparts intermittent rotation to the drum 19. The shaft 8| also operates the cams I36 which actuate the cutting and impressing instrumentalities l i5l H as described supra. Another sprocket 258 is provided on the shaft 245 (Figure 1) to operate a sprocket fixed on the countershaft 201 to operate the cams 286-2l9 (Figure 9) which in turn actuate the slab delivery slide and paper liner folder in conjunction with the ejector plate 2 I ll.

The sprocket 241 has a chain drive 252 which idles over a sprocket 253 (Figure 2) that is supported by the lower frame cross member l3 to extend to a sprocket 254 constituting a driver for an adjustable speed selector 255 (Figure 3) supported by a base plate 256 that extends between the lower frame member I 3 (Figures 2 and 7). The speed selector 255 (Figure 7) is of standard construction and governs the speed of the endless feed conveyor l4 through a chain 256 so that the thickness of the slab T6 can be varied within a wide range, this mechanism providing both fine and rough adjustment for a maximum variation in weights of the slab 18 as they are to be processed in accordance with the teachings of the invention.

Another chain 251 extends to another speed selector sprocket 258 to mesh with an idler sprocket 259 fixed to the vertical frame member l2 (Figure 2) so as to run over a portion of a sprocket 260 that is fixed to a shaft I69 to rotate the rubber suction cups I51 comprising part of the feeder for the paper liners I5! (Figure 5). The counter-shaft is operated through a belt 26| which is driven by a pulley 262 operated through a train of gears within the speed selector 255, and this drives a pulley 263 fixed to the counter-shaft 50 for operating the various instrumentalities connected thereto as previously described. The endless discharge conveyor 2I3 is driven from the endless feeding conveyor I4 through a chain 264 (Figure 2) so that the feeding and discharge will be in corresponding linear travel speeds.

It will be apparent, therefore, that all of the instrumentalities are interconnected for opera tion in timed relation to perform the functions described in connection with each of the instrumentalities that process the edible substances from a large horizontal column '11 (Figure 5) into segmented and impressed slabs 16 which are each provided with a paper wrapper lfil, and these instrumentalities are all responsive to a single source of power which, in the present embodiment, constitutes the electric motor 23 I. With the arrangement of parts above described, a much more competent machine operating at much higher speeds with increased production has been provided to constitute a substantial improvement over the co-pending application, Serial No. 450,769 filed July 13, 1942, toward which all of the present applicants contributed.

While we have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, it must be understood that the invention is capable of considerable variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. We, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a device of the character described for cutting and impressing articles, the combination with means for feeding the articles along a predetermined path, of a multi-straight sided drum for receiving the articles successively thereon, cutting and impressing means fixedly mounted to confront the successive straight sides of said drum in the latters path of rotary movement, means for intermittently rotating said drum to present the articles under said cutting and impressing means, means for displacing said cutting and impressing means relative to said drum while the latter is at rest in confronting relation therewith, means for indexing said drum to successively locate the articles between said drum surfaces and said cutting and impressing means, and means for discharging the impressed articles from the predetermined path.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with an endless circumferential series of straight drum sides defining conveying means for feeding articles along a predetermined path, of combined impressing and segmenting means fixedly mounted to confront said straight drum sides at a predetermined station in the path thereof, means for intermittently rotating said drum sides relative to said impressingiand segmenting means, means for depositing sliced slabs of substances on successive straight drum sides during successive periods of dwell thereof, means for reciprocating said impressing and cutting means While momentarily in confronting relation with successive straight drum sides during the intermittent dwell thereof, means for transversely displacing the impressed and segmented article from said path to a position be yond said straight drum sides, and ejecting means for stacking said impressed and segmented articles. I

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with an. endless circumferential series of straight drum sides defining conveying means for feeding articles along a predetermined path, of combined impressing and segmenting means mounted to confront said straight drum sides at a, predetermined station in the path thereof, means for intermittently rotating said drum sides relative to said impressing and menting means, means for depositing paper liners on successive straight drum sides during the dwell in the rotation thereof, means for depositing sliced slabs of substances on successive straight drum sides during successive periods of dwell thereof, means for reciprocating saidimpressing and cutting means while momentarily in confronting relation With successive straight drum sides during the intermittent dwell thereof, means for transversely displacing the impressed and segmented article from said path to a position beyond said straight drum sides, ejecting means for stacking said impressed and segmented articles.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with an endless circumferential series of straight drum sides defining conveying means for feeding articles along a predetermined path, of combined impressing and segmenting means mounted to confront said straight drum sides at a predetermined station in the path thereof, means for intermittently rotating said drum sides relative to said impressing and segmenting means, means for depositing paper liners on successive straight drum sides during the dwell in the rotation thereof, means for depositing sliced slabs of substances on successive straight drum sides during successive periods of dwell thereof, means for reciprocating said impressing and cutting means While momentarily in confronting relation with successive straight um sides during the intermittent dwell therefor said paper liner for covered application to said impressed and segmented article, and ejecting means for stacking said impressed and segmented articles.

5. In a device of the character describedythe combination with an endless circumferential series of straight drum sides defining conveying means for feeding articles along a predetermined path, of combined impressing and segmenting means mounted to confront said straight drum sides at a predetermined station in. the path thereof, means for intermittently rotating said drum sides relative to said impressing and segmenting means, means for depositing paper liners on successive straight drum sides during the dwell in the rotation thereof, means for depositing sliced slabs of substances on successive straight drum 'sidesaduring successive periods or dwell thereof; means for reciprocating said impressing and cutting means while momentarily in' confrontingrelation with successive straight drum sides duringthe intermittent dwell there of, means for transversely displacing the impressed andsegmented article from said path to a position beyond said straight drum sides, said last named displacing means including a folder for said paper liner 'for covered application to said impressed and segmented article, stationary meansin the path of the transverse displacement of the impressed and segmented article to fold the opposite end of said paper liner'in enveloping relation with said article, and ejecting means'for stacking said wrapped impressed and segmentedarticles.

6; In a deviceof the character described, the combination with an endless circumferential series" o'f straight drum sides defining conveying means for feeding articles along a predetermined path, of-combined impressing and segmenting means mounted to confront said straight drum sides ata predetermined station in the path thereof, means for' intermittentl'y rotating" said drum sides relative to said impressing and segmenting means, means for depositing paper liners on successive straight drum sides during the dwell in the rotationthereof, means for feeding a' solid column of substance toward said straight drum sides, mean's'for simultaneously slicing slabs of substances from said substance column and depositing said sliced slabs of substances onsuccessivestraight drum sides during successive periods of dwell thereof, means for reciprocating said impressing and cutting means while momentarilyin confronting relation with successive straight drum sides during the intermittent dwell thereof, means for transversely displacing the impressed and segmented article from said path to a position beyond said straight drum sides, said lastn'amed displacing means including'a folder for said paper liner forcovere d application to said impressed and segmented article, stationary means in the path of the transverse'displacenient of the impressed and segmented article'to-fold the opposite end of said paper liner in enveloping relation with said article, and ejecting means for stacking said wrapped impressed and segmented articles.

7.'In a device of the character described, the combination with an endless circumferential series of straight drum'sides defining conveying means for feeding articles along a predetermined path, of combined impressing and segmenting means-mounted to confront said straight drum sides ata predetermined station in the path thereof, means for intermittently rotating said drum sides relative to said impressing and segmenting means, means for feeding a solid column of substance toward said straight drum sides, means for simultaneously slicing slabs of substances from said substance column and depositing said sliced slabs of substances on successive straight ydrum sides during successive periods of dwell-thereof, means for reciprocating said impressing and cutting means While momentarily in confronting relation with successive straight drum sides during the intermittent dwell thereof, means for transversely displacing the impressed and segmented article from said path to a position beyond said straight drum sides, and ejecting means for=stacking said impressed and segmented articles.

aeeaeoc 8. In a device of the character described for cutting and impressing articles, the combination with means for feeding the articles along a predetermined path, of a multi-straight sided drum for receiving the articles successively thereon, cutting and impressing means mounted to confront the successive straight sides of said drum, means for intermittently rotating said drum to present the articles under said cutting and impressing means, means for feeding a solid column of substance toward said straight drum sides, means for successively slicing slabs of substances from said substance column for deposit on successive straight drum sides in timed relation with the rotation of said drum, means for displacing said cutting and impressing means relative to said drum while the latter is at rest in confronting relation therewith with a sliced slab of substance therebetween, means for indexing said drum to successively locate the articles between said drum surfaces and said cutting and impressing means, and means for discharging the impressed articles from the predetermined path.

9. In a device of the character described for cutting and impressing articles, the combination with an endless circumferential series of independently acting straight sides on a drum defining conveying means for feeding the articles along a predetermined path, of impressing means mounted to confront the straight sides of said conveying means, means for intermittently rotating said drum sides relative to said impressing means, means for depositing paper liners on successive straight drum sides during the dwell in 1 the rotation thereof, means for feeding a solid column of substance toward said straight drum sides, means for successively slicing slabs of substances from said substance column for deposit on successive straight drum sides in timed relation with the rotation of said drum, and means for displacing said impressing means relative to said drum while the latter is at rest in confronting relation therewith with a sliced slab therebetween.

10. In a device of the character described for cutting and impressing articles, the combination with an endless circumferential series of independently acting straight sides on a drum defining conveying means for feeding the articles along a predetermined path, of impressing means mounted to confront the straight sides of said conveying means, means for intermittently rotating said drum sides relative to said impressing means, means for depositing paper liners on successive straight drum sides during the dwell in the rotation thereof, means for feeding a solid column of substance toward said straight drum sides, means for successively slicing slabs of substances from said substance column for deposit on successive straight drum sides in timed relation with the rotation of said drum, means for centering said substance slabs on the straight sides of said drum, and means for displacing said impressing means relative to said drum while the latter is at rest in confronting relation therewith with a sliced slab therebetween.

11. In a device of the character described for cutting and impressing articles, the combination with rotary means for feeding the articles along a predetermined path, of impressing means mounted to confront said rotary feeding means, means for intermittently rotating said rotary feeding means, said last named intermittent rotating means including an eccentric, a crank arm for operation responsive to said eccentric, means on the side of said rotary feeding means to cooperate with said crank arm for rotating and indexing said drum in confronting relation with said impressing means, and means for displacing said impressing means relative to the said rotary means while the latter is momentarily at rest to act on the articles disposed on said rotary feeding means.

12. In a device of the character described for cutting and impressing articles, the combination with rotary means for feeding the articles along a predetermined path, of impressing means mounted to confront said rotary feeding means, means for intermittently rotating said rotary feeding means, said last named intermittent rotating means including an eccentric, a crank arm for operation responsive to said eccentric, means on the side of said rotary feeding means to cooperate with said crank arm for rotating and indexing said drum in confronting relation with said impressing means, means for depositing sliced slabs on successive drum sides provided on said rotary feeding means during the dwell in the rotation thereof, means for centering said substance slabs on the straight sides of said drum, and means for displacing said impressing means relative to the said rotary feeding means while the latter is momentarily at rest to act on said sliced slabs disposed on said successive drum sides of said rotary feeding means.

13. In a device for impressing and cutting preformed masses of edible plastic substances into ornamented segments, the combination with a continuously moving conveyor for supporting and continuously moving a preformed large print of edible plastic substances along a predetermined path, of cutting means in said path to confront said continuously moving conveyor, means for continuously operating said cutting means in timed relation to said continuously moving conveyor to sever uniform slabs from said large print of edible plastic substances, and other conveyor means for successively receiving said out slabs in timed relation with the severance thereof from said substance print for intermittently moving each substance slab to a predetermined position, and means for impressing and segmenting each substance slab into a plurality of ornamented segments while the slabs are intermittently at rest.

14. In a device for impressing and cutting preformed masses of edible plastic substances into ornamented segments, the combination with a continuously moving conveyor for supporting and continuously moving a preformed large print of edible plastic substances along a predetermined path, of cutting means in said path to confront said continuously moving conveyor, means for continuously operating said cutting means in timed relation to said continuously moving conveyor to sever uniform slabs from said large print of edible plastic substances, and other conveyor means for successively receiving said out slabs in timed relation with the severance thereof from said substance print for intermittently moving each substance slab to a predetermined position, means for impressing and segmenting each substance slab into a plurality of ornamented segments while the slabs are intermittently at rest, and means for removing the compressed and segmented slabs from said predetermined path of travel.

15. In a device for impressing and cutting preformed masses of edible plastic substances into 17 ornamented segments, the combination with a continuously moving conveyor for supporting and continuously moving a preformed large print of edible plastic substances along a predetermined path, of cutting means in said path to confront said continuously moving conveyor, means for continuously operating said cutting means in timed relation to said continuously moving conveyor to sever uniform slabs from said large print of edible plastic substances, said continuously operating cutting means including instru- 'menta'lities for imparting to and fro movement thereto in different planes, and other conveyor means for successively receiving said out slabs in timed relation with the severance thereof from said substance print for intermittently moving each substance slab to a predetermined position, and means for impressing and segmenting each substance slab into a plurality of ornamented segments while the slabs are intermittently at rest.

'16. In a device for impressing and cutting preformed masses of edible plastic substances into ornamented segments, the combination with a continuously moving conveyor for supporting and continuously moving a preformed large print of edible plastic substances along a predetermined path, of cutting means in said path to confront said continuously moving conveyor, means for imparting continuous combined oscillatable and reciprocable movement to said cutting means in timed relation to said continuously moving conveyor to sever uniform slabs from said large print of edible plastic substances, and other conveyor means for successively receiving said out slabs in timed relation with the severance thereof from said substance print for intermittently moving each substance slab to a predetermined position, and means for impressing and segmenting each substance slab into a plurality of ornamented segments while the slabs are intermittently at rest.

17. In a device of the character described including means for preforming edible plastic substances into a horizontal substance column, the combination with a continuously moving endless conveyor for displacing the horizontal substance to a forward position, and means at the forward position to impress and out said slabs into a plurality of impressed segments.

18. In a device of the character described including means for preforming edible plastic substances into a horizontal substance column, the combination with a continuously moving endless conveyor for displacing the horizontal substance column along a straight path, of a cutter frame pivotally mounted in said path, cutting means reciprocally mounted in said pivotally mounted frame to sever successive slabs from said horizontal substance column, means for reciprocating said cutting means in said frame, means for oscillating said frame during the reciprocation of said cutting means therein to synchronize the movement of said cutting means with the forward displacement of said horizontal substance column for severing uniform slabs from said continuously moving horizontal substance column, means for presenting each slab on a paper liner to a forward position, means for retaining said slabs stationary at the forward position, and means at the forward position to simultaneously impress and out said slabs into a plurality of impressed substance.

19. In a device of the character described including means for preforming edible plastic substances into a horizontal substance column, the combination with a continuously moving endless conveyor for displacing the horizontal substance column along a straight path, of a cutter frame pivotally mounted in said path, cutting means reciprocally mounted in said pivotally mounted frame to sever successive slabs from said horizontal substance column, means for reciprocating said cutting means in said frame, means for 0scillating said frame during the reciprocation of said cutting means therein to synchronize the movement of said cutting'means with the forward displacement of said horizontal substance column for severing uniform slabs from said continuously moving horizontal substance column, means for presenting each slab on a paper liner to a forward position, means for retaining said slabs stationary at the forward position, means at the forward position to simultaneously impress and out said slabs into a plurality of impressed segments, and means for folding said paper liner around the impressed and segmented patties of each slab.

CHARLES DOERING. HENRY H. DOERING. BERTIL J. SKOGLUN'D.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,110,112 Cross Sept. 8, 1914 1,661,086 Popov Feb. 28, 1928 1,938,969 McKinnon Dec. 12, 1933 1,960,486 Freeman May 29, 1934 2,010,524 McClatchie Aug. 6, 1935 2,201,872 Rottenberg May 21, 1940 2,441,757 Doering et al May 18, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 408,852 Great Britain Apr. 19, 1934 

